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Chinese New Year falls on February 8, 2016 this year. On that day, the world will say goodbye to the Year of the Sheep and hello to the Year of the Monkey.
In the Chinese lunar calendar, each year is associated with a zodiac animal on a 12-year cycle. These animals are associated with specific characteristics that are thought to be prominent in people born in that year.
Additionally, one of the five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water – is also assigned each year and is believed to have a big impact on the Chinese zodiac animals. In 2016, the element is fire.
Now that we know 2016 is the Year of the Fire Monkey, what does this mean for your newborn? Flip through the slideshow below to find out.
Horoscope For The Year Of The Fire Monkey
Personality(01 of16)
Monkeys are curious, clever and charming. They have playful, magnetic personalities, which make them very likable. They are also known to be very lively and quick-witted, as well as masters of practical jokes. Strengths: enthusiastic, self-assured, sociable, innovativeWeaknesses: jealous, cunning, selfish, arrogant (credit:exxorian via Getty Images)
Fire Element(02 of16)
People born in 1956 and 2016 are Fire Monkeys. Those specifically born in these years are tirelessly determined and excellent at setting and keeping their goals. Fire Monkeys, like all Monkeys, are very likable and people enjoy their company. However, they can be quite cheeky as they always like to be in control of every situation. Fire Monkeys are also ambitious and adventurous, but can be irritable. (credit:BananaStock via Getty Images)
Compatibility(03 of16)
Good Match: Monkeys are perfect matches for people born in the Year of the Ox (2009, 2021) or Rabbit (2011, 2023) as they have similar personalities and attitudes about life. They all also have a strong sense of curiosity, which is important, as Monkeys tend to get bored easily. Bad Match: Those born in the Year of Tiger (2010, 2022) or Pig (2007, 2019) are not compatible with Monkeys. They have very different values and find it difficult to communicate as they both have a lack of patience. (credit:Matthew Wreford via Getty Images)
Career(04 of16)
According to China Highlights, Monkeys work very hard when it comes to their careers and are very adaptable. As a result, careers such as accounting, engineering, film directing and salesmanship are good fields for Monkeys to work in. (credit:Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)
Lucky Things(05 of16)
Numbers: 4, 9Colours: white, gold, blueFlowers: chrysanthemumDirections: north, northwest, west (credit:Photo by Stanley Yao via Getty Images)
Famous Monkeys(06 of16)
• Leonardo da Vinci (born in 1452) • Charles Dickens (1812) • Eleanor Roosevelt (1884)• Diana Ross (1944)• Tom Hanks (1956)• Celine Dion (1968)• Will Smith (1968)• Christina Aguilera (1980)• Miley Cyrus (1992) (credit:John Shearer via Getty Images)
Sesame Ball(07 of16)
The sesame ball, or Chinese doughnut, is a New Year classic, says chef Susur Lee. Also called jin deui, these pastries are often made with black bean paste or lotus paste, and covered in a sesame shell. To make your own, check out this recipe from Roti N Rice. (credit:Shockingly Tasty/Flickr)
Tangerines(08 of16)
Tangerines are meant to bring wealth and good luck. In fact, the Chinese word for tangerine also sounds similar to the Chinese word for luck. Lee says tangerines and oranges are also associated with gold — meaning fortune. (credit:boo_licious/Flickr)
Long, Long Noodles(09 of16)
Long noodles represent a long life. Lee says this is why you may see at least one noodle dish at every Chinese New Year table. This Food Republic noodle recipe includes chicken, ginger and a homemade sauce. (credit:Nomadic Lass/Flickr)
The Tray Of Togetherness(10 of16)
This tray is full of mini snacks including everything from candied lotus seeds (which means fertility) to dried coconut (which means unity) to kumquats (which means prosperity). (credit:hale_popoki/Flickr)
Dishes With Oyster(11 of16)
Lee says serving and/or eating an oyster-based dish is also traditional. These are the dishes he says most families have been making for generations. His favourite oyster meal includes a black moss topping. (credit:avlxyz/Flickr)
Whole Fish(12 of16)
Another table must-have is a whole fish. Lee says fish are symbolic of good luck, and serving a whole fish means you will never run out of luck. You also want to include the fish's head, he adds, because serving the whole fish means having a good New Year from start to end. (credit:stu_spivack/Flickr)
Nian Gao(13 of16)
These desserts made with rice flour are meant to help you climb the social ladder. Although you can make your own, we suggest leaving this one to the professionals. (credit:chooyutshing/Flickr)
Jiaozi (Dumplings)(14 of16)
According to TravelChinaGuide.com, dumplings are not only popular during Chinese New Year (and the whole year, may we add), but these bite-sized stuffed snacks are meant to represent wealth and treasures in the new year. Food writer Tony Fong notes dumplings are also meant to bring peace to families. (credit:Noema Pérez/Flickr)
Lettuce Wraps(15 of16)
In Cantonese, the word lettuce is also similar to the word fortune, making lettuce wraps another popular meal during the new year. (credit:The DLC/Flickr)
Chicken Dishes(16 of16)
Like fish, chicken is also a Chinese New Year essential. Lee says not only is this another traditional dish families may have been cooking for generations, but it is often the dish Chinese-Canadians are most familiar with. And with chicken, the possibilities are endless. You can do everything from a lobster and chicken dish (which means masculinity and femininity), or go for a noodle chicken dish to promote a long life.